In the new issue of Us Weekly, a Dancing with the Stars insider reveals Kate Gosselin's first choice for pro partner: Maksim Chmerkovskiy. "She wishes she had been partnered with Maks because he's a stronger personality [than Tony Dovolani], and Kate likes a man who takes charge."
A crew source counters: "Kate would have lasted about five minutes with Maks."
Well, Dovolani has Chmerkovskiy's admiration — and sympathy? — for taking on the 35-year-old reality mom. "I admire Tony," Maks wrote Friday on his TV Guide blog. "Not just because he's my friend."
The dancer explains: "I've spoken to Kate, and I don't think she gets the point of this thing yet. The pain on her face says it all, which is unfortunate."
Gosselin scored a low score of 15 points — and lots of jeers from the judges — last week for her paso doble routine set to Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi."
"The show is about finding a way to come out, enjoy yourself and have fun," Maksim writes. Of Gosselin and Dovolani's fiery relationship, he writes, "We were taught to respect our teachers, so as teachers, we expect to be respected by our students. Kate needs to trust him. However lifeless that paso was, he had her ready with the routine."
Last week, Gosselin complained to E! News that it has been"very difficult" to focus, especially with a new custody lawsuit filed by her ex Jon Gosselin. "I can't put my life aside and dance for six hours a day."
But Chmerkovskiy implores her to try and do just that. "It's a chance for her to focus on something other than personal drama. How many women with multiple kids sit back and reminisce about the days they could go and dance when they watch our show? How many people vicariously live through us? You need to enjoy it."
